South Africa’s Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has already seen a number of China and India-focused tour operators reaping significant rewards from the new programme.
According to Tourism Update, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) recently revealed that a total of 11 144 tourists have been processed through the platform since it was established in February this year.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber also reported that the volume of daily TTOS applications had grown from an average of 50 in March 2025 to 210 in May 2025.
Home Affairs’ TTOS showing signs of success
The DHA said that the TTOS currently grants 65 approved tour operators access to a digital platform where they are allowed to submit and receive visa outcomes for tour groups from both China and India.
Johan Groenewald, one of these approved tour operators for India, highlighted a “vast improvement” in visa processing through the TTOS.
“It is efficient and fast and the DHA is keeping to its commitment to process within a maximum five working days,” Groenewald said as per Tourism Update.
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